William Penn Life, 1986 (21. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1986-07-01 / 4. szám

Page 12, July-August 1986, William Penn Life-------------------------------------------------BRANCH NEWS Members Volunteer Help At Pa. Health Care Center By Eileen M. Wenzel Branch Secretary In the true spirit of frater­­nalism, members of Branch 8222, Wilkinsburg, Pa., are providing volunteer services at St. Joseph’s Nursing and Health Care Center in Gar­field, Pa. The branch began sending volunteers to the center in October, 1974. Now, nearly 12 years later, branch members still visit the center every week to perform much needed services there. Among the services they provide is a “beauty shop” for the female residents. Three branch volunteers shampoo and set the hair of as many as 25 women each week. The money raised from the beauty service is given back to the center. Branch volunteers help wheelchair patients get to and from Masses, meals and other activities. They also of­fer companionship to the center’s residents. Last year, Branch 8222 was instrumental in helping the center’s auxiliary raise $71,000. The branch takes up a collection at each of its monthly meetings, and uses the proceeds to buy supplies for the beauty shop. Such contributions are necessary since about 60 percent of the center’s residents receive Medicaid. The center is owned and operated by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, which purchased the center from the Little Sisters of the Poor in 1975. In other news, the branch recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Association with a gathering at the Holiday Inn in Brad­­dock Hills, Pa. Among those attending the event were the branch’s spiritual advisor, the Rev. Richard Wersing, and the officers of Branch 8222. The branch officers also recently joined to congratu­­late fellow member Elizabeth Stoner, who gradu­ated from Duquesne Univer­sity in Pittsburgh with a masters degree in education on May 10. Attending the Oct. 7, 1970 testimonial dinner in honor of John A. Jesso (seated, center) of Branch 150, were his sons: (seated, from left) William and John Jr.; (standing, from left) Julius, Steve, Thomas, Louis, Joseph and Albert. Br. 150 Recalls John Jesso For 76 years the manager­ship of Branch 150, Mason­­town, Pa., has been synon­ymous with the name of Jesso. In 1910 a group of men in Masontown organized the branch as part of the then Verhovay Aid Association. One of the new branch’s first officers was its first manager, John A. Jesso. John Jesso went on to serve as branch manager for 60 years. During his tenure in office, he and other branch members par­ticipated in numerous Hungarian dances, picnics, dinners and other fraternal events. The William Penn Association held a testi­monial dinner in his honor on Oct. 7, 1970. Among those present to thank him for his years of devoted ser­vice were former National President Elmer Charles, former Vice President John Balia, former national secre­tary and now Vice President Albert Stelkovics and Masontown Mayor William Mooser. Also in attendance were John Jesso’s eight sons, two daughters, 17 grandchildren and two great-grand­children. Since his retirement in 1970, his son Louis Jesso has served as manager of Branch 150. Louis Jesso, who was the former manager of the Uniontown office, now serves the com­munities of Masontown, Uniontown, Carmichael, Brownsville and Bobtown. The branch remains active in fraternal affairs. Its members participate in bowling, horse shoes, children’s Christmas par­ties, and Halloween parties. Working along with Louis Jesso to keep the fraternal spirit alive in the Masontown area are Branch President Louis C. Nagy, Branch Vice President Joseph Dalnoky, Branch Secretary Dave Jesso and Branch Auditors William Dunham and Julius Jesso. Being installed as the new officers of Branch 800 are (from left) Joe Masic, president; Martin Long, vice president; George Dorman, secretary; and Robert Jones, treasurer. New WPA Branch Elects First Officers By Harold Robinson Branch Reporter Joe Masic was installed as president of Branch 800, Blair County, Pa., at the branch’s recent installation banquet at St. Catherine Church in Ducansville. Along with Mr. Masic, other elected branch of­ficers installed at the affair were Vice President Martin Long, Secretary George Dor­man and Treasurer Robert Jones. Branch 800 was created earlier this year through the merger of ten branches established by the former Catholic Knights of St. George. The branches involved in the merger were Branches 8017, 8100, 8101, 8103, 8150, 8231 and 8351, all in Al­toona, Pa.; Branch 8074, Hollidaysburg, Pa.; Branch 8189, Tyron, Pa.; and Branch 8192, Huntingdon, Pa. Mr. Masic was formerly president of Branch 8231, Altoona. Executive Vice President John Kenawell represented the Association at the ban­quet and installed the new officers. He and his wife were among a large crowd of members and guests at the event. The branch is hoping many members will also turn out for its corn boil. The an­nual event will be held Wednesday, Aug. 13 at Highland Park in Altoona, Pa. The branch also is plann­ing to present an award to a graduate from Bishop Guilfoyle High School who attains the highest marks in religion classes. The branch has already donated funds to the school for tuition assistance. Springdale, Pa. Branch Plans For July 27 Picnic By Michael J. Pellegrino Publicity Agent Branch 296, Springdale, Pa., held an old fashioned Hungarian bacon and wiener roast as part of its regular monthly meeting in June. Branch President John Balia said he was very pleas­ed with the large turnout for the event and thanked all those in attendance. The branch members finalized plans for their July 27 picnic, which will celebrate the 100th anni­versary of the Association. The branch officers also announced the graduation of Erik James Wesoloski from Tucker County High School in Thomas, W. Va. A member of Branch 296, Erik will major in business administration this fall at the West Virginia University. He is the son of Robert Wesoloski and grandson of Mary Wesoloski. Philadelphia By Steve Szemes Branch Coordinator The members of Branch 76, Philadelphia, are formu­lating ideas for a branch dinner-dance to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Association. No firm plans have been made concerning such an event, but branch officers say the affair could be held this fall if sufficient interest and support is shown. One branch officer said he developed the idea for the dinner-dance after meeting with branch members who were members of the former Catholic Knights of St. George. “We talked of the many activities they and their friends enjoyed in the years gone by. It gave me the idea that perhaps with their help and cooperation we can sponsor a dinner-dance,” he said. Members interested in supporting the dinner-dance can call Steve Szemes at (215) 543-8876. Several branch members recently had the opportunity to meet with former branch officer Bill “Doc” Smith. Mr. Smith, a member of the branch’s championship soc­cer teams of the mid-i93Us, is still as spry and witty as ever and has retained the dry humor he was known for, the members said. Mr. Szemes and his wife Elsie recently celebrated their 50th wedding anni­versary at the Philadelphia Hungarian Club. In atten­dance at the celebration were many of their friends along with their son Stephen and his wife, six grand­children and two great­grandchildren. A number of branch members also attended the Centennial Banquet in Pitts­burgh May 24. The members said it gave them a feeling of satisfaction to be par­ticipants in that memorable evening. Members with questions about insurance matters can call Mr. Szemes. Branch Considers Sponsoring Centennial Event

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